Upper Cook Inlet Commercial Fishing Announcement No. 49 opens commercial fishing with set gillnets in the Kenai, Kasilof, and East Foreland sections of the Upper Subdistrict on Monday, August 10, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

The estimated cumulative passage of sockeye salmon in the Kasilof River through August 8 was approximately 447,000 fish. The biological escapement goal (BEG) of 160,000–340,000 for Kasilof River sockeye salmon has been exceeded.

The cumulative sockeye salmon passage estimate in the Kenai River through midday on August 9 was approximately 1,208,000 fish, which is above the inriver goal of 1,000,000–1,200,000 fish for Kenai River sockeye salmon runs of 2,300,000–4,600,000 fish. Recent sockeye salmon passage in the Kenai River has been above average, with the past four days each exceeding 40,000 fish. In addition, more than 350,000 sockeye salmon are estimated to have passed the Kenai and Kasilof river sonar counters since August 1, 2015. During this same time frame, more than 250,000 sockeye salmon have been harvested in the Upper Subdistrict set gillnet fishery, with recent fishing periods producing higher than average harvests for this time of year. Final sockeye salmon passage in the Kenai River is projected to range from 1,350,000–1,400,000 fish.

Therefore, in order to slow the rate of escapement of sockeye salmon into both the Kenai and Kasilof rivers, fishing for 12 hours in the Upper Subdistrict set gillnet fishery on Monday, August 10, is warranted.